Everything hurts.
No, scratch that—everything is fading.
I can't move. Can't even feel my own body anymore.
My breathing's all messed up, shallow and shaky like my lungs forgot how to work.
The cold pavement presses against my cheeks. It feels rough, dirty and smells like rain and car exhaust.
I can hear them. The bastards who did this. Their voices sound far away, like I'm underwater.
They're laughing. One of them spits near my head before they get in their car and speed off.
Cowards.
I tried to move, but nothing responds. My fingers twitched a little bit, but that's it.
Damn! this is really it, huh?
...I don't wanna die.
Not like this.
I blink slowly, and that's when my whole life starts flashing before me. Thought that only happened in movies. Guess not.
-------------------------------------------
I was never special. Just a regular guy, working a dead-end job, stuck in the same loop every damn day.
Eat. Sleep. Work. Repeat.
Not like I had much of a choice. My parents left me with a pile of debt, and I spent years clawing my way out of it.
College, internships, overtime shifts—I did it all.
And for what? To sit in an office, rotting away?
I tried to change things. Hit the gym, picked up new hobbies. Hell, I even setup my profile on dating apps again.
Then I met her.
Emily Sanders.
My first date in years. Matched on Bumble, started talking, hit it off. She was funny, easy to talk to. And when we finally met up at that café….. damn, she was even prettier in person.
Blonde hair, green eyes, that warm smile that made me forget all my worries.
We talked for hours. About work, childhood, dumb movies we liked. She laughed at my stupid jokes, and for the first time in forever, I actually felt like things were looking up.
When we said goodbye, she promised to text when she got home.
I never got that text.
Because I never made it home.
-------------------------------------------
I was walking home when I heard her.
A woman. Crying. Begging.
I turned the corner and saw them—three guys cornering her against a wall. Their voices were low, mocking. She looked terrified.
I didn't think. Didn't hesitate. Just stepped forward and said, "Hey! Leave her the fuck alone."
They turned, grinning like they were amused. One of them snorted. "What, are you her boyfriend or something?"
I ignored them and looked at her. "Are you okay?"
She nodded fast, but whispered, "Don't worry, I'm fine. This happens all the time."
I was shocked! That strucked me harder than expected.
Not just bad luck. Not just tonight. This was normal for her.
Not anymore.
I stood between them and her. Stared them down. They hesitated. Guys like this? They preyed on fear. They weren't expecting someone to step in.
Eventually, they cursed towards me and walked off. I didn't move until they were gone.
I walked her home after that. She barely spoke, but when we reached her door, she turned to me with tears in her eyes. "Thank you! "
I just smiled. "Be safe."
Then I left.
It kinda felt good, like I did something right for once.
And then something was flickering.
It was headlights. I think there was a car following me.
Before I could react, they were on me.
The same guys.
This time, they didn't come empty-handed.
I fought back, landed a few punches. But three-on-one? Yeah, I didn't stand a chance.
*Thud* *Thud* *Thud*
A piece of metal hit me. It hit me again and again and again.
It was an Iron rod. A very thick one apparently.
Pain exploded in the back of my skull.
I hit the ground. My vision was blurred and my limbs refused to move.
They were going away. I heard them laughing.
But suddenly one of those bastards ran towards me wnd punted me very hard.
*Thud*
It broked my jaw.
Then he crouched next to me and whispered, "Next time, mind your own fucking business."
Then there was just darkness out there.
I don't know how long I have laid there.
The cold seeped into my bones. My breathing slowed. My thoughts got fuzzy.
Is this it? Just gonna die here?
Nonononono....
No, that's not fair.
I did the right thing. Didn't I?
Then why does it feel like nothing's gonna change?
That girl was safe tonight, but what about tomorrow? Next week?
There'd be more like them. More victims.
More people like me, who would step in—just to end up bleeding in a gutter.
It's not fair .
If I had another chance…
I'd stop them.
I'd make them suffer.
Because
CHOICES HAVE CONSEQUENCES.
And then—Everything faded.
To Be Continued…?